WSBK Portimao: Jonathan Rea says 'anything can happen' as six-time champion bids to overturn 67-point title deficit

The Kawasaki rider hopes this weekend’s ninth round at Portimao in Portugal can be a starting point in his quest to reduce the deficit to Aruba.it Ducati rider Bautista, who has won eight races since Rea last triumphed at Estoril in Portugal in May.

Reigning champion Toprak Razgatlioglu (Pata Yamaha) is also ahead of Rea in the standings be eight points and all three riders are expected to go toe-to-toe again this weekend.

In free practice on Friday, Rea was fourth quickest, 0.5s behind leader Razgatlioglu with Bautista 0.027s slower than Rea in fifth.

Michael Ruben Rinaldi (Aruba.it Ducati) – fastest in the morning FP1 session – was second fastest overall ahead of Garrett Gerloff (GRT Yamaha). Eugene Laverty (Bonovo Action BMW) was 15th.

The odds of Rea coming out on top as champion in November are considerable but the Ulster rider feels everything is still to play for with so many points still on the table.

“Anything can happen and from my point of view I try to forget about the championship because it’s more important to win some races, to get the good feeling again, to work with the crew,” Rea said.

“I think mathematically this championship is still very possible. We have to keep working and we’re four rounds from the end, a lot of points on the board.

“All the races coming up are favourable circuits for me, ones that I really enjoy, so we’ll put our best foot forward, forget the championship gap and see what we can do.”

The 35-year-old has won 13 times at Portimao and rea acknowledges that his winless streak has now gone on too long as he looks to return to the top step.

“In the back of my head I want to get back to winning ways because it’s been so long now since I’ve had a race win. It’s important like every race to do our best but for me personally it would mean a lot because it’s a bit of a win drought,” he said.

“It hasn’t been for the lack of trying but I’ve been giving my best but Alvaro and Toprak have been doing an incredible job, winning a lot of races, and it’s up to me now to try to get the best out of myself and the package to be there and to stand up with those two guys and fight.

“This circuit I feel is a good one for us and I don’t have any more confidence let’s say, but let’s say I have as good a chance as at any other tracks coming up.

“I’ve a lot of fans coming here from Northern Ireland and I’m looking forward to seeing them and trying to put on a really good show.”

Race one on Saturday is scheduled for 14:00 BST with the Superpole race on Sunday at 11:00 BST and race two at 14:00 BST.